Humidifier unit



April 20, 1937. F, MANNlNG 2,078,202

HUMIDIFIER UNIT Filed March 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M INVENTQR 75,1% AT RNEY April 20, 1937. MANN|NG i 2,078,202

HUMIDIFIER UNIT Filed March 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vToR 26 BY 7(1)' TT RNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES z.01s,zz mm UNIT Fowler Manning, Bronxviile,.N. YV., signor to' Standard Air Conditioning, Inc., 4 New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 2, 1935, Serial No. 9,063

` The general object of the present invention is to provide a humidliler unit comprising motor driven humidifying means, and having a substantial water holding capacity. which is o! desirable form, and includes improvements especially adapting it for use inomce and residence rooms as a part of the movable equipment cr iur iier unit which, notwithstanding its substantiall water holding capacity, is compact and pleasing in form, and light enough in weight to permit of its ready manual movement from one position to another as conditions make desirable, and which includes a chassis or supporting body, upon which all oi the hurnidifying apparatus is mounted, and a casing, which provides a light but suitable strong and rigid enclosure for the apparatus, and in which said chassis or support is removably mounted, said casing including parts readily separable for water bottle replacements and to provide all desirable access to the humidifying apparatus normally enclosed and hidden by the casing.

The improved unit is preferably composed mainly of sheet metal parts, and is characterized by features facilitating its construction of sheet metal parts which are desirably light in weight and simple in form.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding oi the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Oi the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a humidier unit of preferred form in its normal condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the unit with the separable parts of the casing displaced from one another;

Fig. 3 is a section through the unit on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

`side of the disc.

(Cl. Mil-91) Fig. 5 is a section on the broken line 5--5 oi Fig. 3.

The humidifying unit in the preferred form shown in the drawings, comprises two water receiving or reservoir members I and'IA, each in the form of a cup-shaped member of sheet metal. The two reservoirs I and IA are arranged side by side, and each is provided at its open upper end with .a seat for an inverted water bottle 3. Each seat may'well be formed by a rubber ring 2 cemented to a rim enlargement of the upper end of the corresponding reservoir. The neck of the bottle 3 associated with each of the members I and IA, extends down into the latter, the shoulder portion of the bottle resting on the seat 2. The latter is notched as indicated at 2A, to provide an air passage to maintain atmospheric pressure above the water level in the corresponding reservoir I or IA. Each ot the reservoirs I and IA is connected at a point below the normal water level therein, by a corresponding pipe l to a cup shaped receptacle or reservoir 5, which forms the water supply chamber for the humidifying pump.

'I'he latter is in the .form of a vertically disposed tubular element 6 suspended from the shaft l o1' its electric driving motor 8. The lower end of the tubular element 6 extends down into the Water in the pump supply chamber 5, and is closed except for a small central inlet 6'. Adjacent its upper end and well above the normal water level in the chamber 5, the pump element 6 is provided with outlets 6". In operation the rapid rotation of the tubular element 6 causes a iiow of water into and through the element, and out oi.' the latter through its ports 6". The water issuing through the outlet 6 passes onto a horizontal sheet metal disc 9 coaxial with and secured to the pump element 6. Centrifugal force action causes the water discharged onto the disc 9 through the ports 6", to move outward in a :film to the edge of the disc, from which the water is discharged with a substantial velocity.

The water so discharged from the disc 9 impinges against a stationary cylindrical part I0 surrounding, and spaced away from the periphery of the disc 9. 'I'he cylindrical part I0 is formed with a multiplicity of discharge orifices I I shown as in the form of vertical slots extending from a level appreciably above the top side of the disc 9 to a level appreciably below the lower The water comes to the inner ends of the orifice slots I I in finally divided form, and is in eiiect atomized and moved through and discharged from the orifice slots in the form oi.'

a mist, by air set motion by fan blades or vanes I2 secured to the under side of the disc 9 and extending outwardly from the element 9 for more or less oi' the radial depth-of the disc 9. The disc 9 and vanes I2 thus form the impeller of an air moving fan which has its air inlet I3 formed by the central aperture in the bottom portion oi' a dished sheet metal part I4. The latter has a rim portion vI5 'which extends outward over, and is supported by the upper edge of the member 5. As shown, rubber bodies I9 are, interposed between the rim portions I5 of the member I4 and the upper edge of the member 5, at intervals along their peripheries, so that air may pass into the space within the member 5 above the water level therein and below the member I4, vthrough the open joint spaces between the upper edge of the receptacle member 5, and the rim portion I5.

The bodies I5 also provide a resilient noise and vibration eliminating support for the motor 8, which is supported by the member I4 through parts including the cylindrical part I9. The latter as shown is an integral down turned ilange portion oi a sheet metal disc I1 through which the motor shaft passes kand on which the frame oi' the motor 8 is secured. At its lower edge, the cylindrical part III terminates in an outturned ilange portion I9 secured to the member I4 by posts I9. At the inner side of its rim portion I5, the member I4 is shaped to provide an annular seat 20 for the base oi' a bell shaped member or hood 2|. 'I'he hood 2|, member I4, and receptacle A5 form a casing enclosing the motor 8, and all portions of the air and water impelling means operated by the motor. 'I'he highly humidiied air and entrained water mist passing upward through the motor enclosing casing is discharged with considerable velocity imparted thereto by the impeller element, through an outlet nozzle 22 provided at the upper central portion oi.' the top of the hood 2|, the moisture laden air or mist being emitted in a defined stream from the nozzle.

'Advantageously, and as shown, a cup shaped screen 23, suspended by parts 23' from the member I4, extends across the path of flow of water entering the receptacle 5 through the pipes 4 and passing to the pump inlet 5. Advantageously and as shown, the water holding capacity of the member 5 is reduced by reducing the diameter of the lower portion of the member, to thereby insure a bodily flow of water through the member 5 rapid enough to prevent the accumulation of ystale or foul water in the chamber 5 during the normal operation of the apparatus.

The reservoir or receptacle members I, IA, and .5 are mounted on a chassis or base support 24 shown as consisting of a metal plate of T form. 'I'he bottom of the member 5 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper side of the leg portion of the chassis 24, and the reservoir members I and IA are similarly secured to the upper sides of the ends of the cross bar or top portion of the T shaped chassis. This permits a very compact assemblage. As shown, the rim portion I5 oi' the member I4 extends into the space between the members I and IA, and the body portions of the bottles 3 overhang the hood member 2|. The chassis 24 is detachably secured to the bottom wall 21 of a humidier casing enclosing all of the humidifying apparatus previously mentioned, except the upper end of the outlet nozzle portion 22 of the hood 2|, which extends through a humidiier casing aperture, to which reference is made later, bymeans of wingnuts 25 threaded on uprising bolts 26 passing through holes in the chassis plate and wall 21.

'I'he humidiiler casing is formed of sheet metal parts, and its bottom wall 21 is reenforced by bar like parts 29 secured toits under side, and serving as skids to facilitate movement oi the .unit over the iloor of a room in which it may be placed or through which it may be moved. The casing comprises a vertical body portion 29 rigidly se-v cured at its lower edge, as by welding, to the bottom member 21, which is provided with an uprising marginal flange 21' which overlaps the lower portion oi' the part 29. The latter is formed at its lower end with an inturned flange 29' bearing against the bottom member 21. 'Ihe bottom portion 21, while extending horizontally outwardly from the edges of the chassis member, conforms generally in shape thereto, so that the portion of the casing space surrounded in part by the vertical casing element 29 may be described as including a bay extension 99 at one side of a body portion 9| generally rectangular in horizontal section. 'I'he reservoir members I and IA and the lower portions of the bottles 3 are located in said body space portion 9| while the member 5 and hood 2| are located mainly in the bay extension, though having portions projecting into the space portion 9|. 'I'he vertical casing member 29 forms the vertical casing wall for the bay space 30, and for the lower portion of the body space 3|, except at the rear or side oi' the latter remote from the bay extension.

'I'he ends of thewall part 29 extend to the rear of the space portion 3|, but are spaced away from one another to provide an opening normally closed by a removable panel or wall portion member 32. The removal of the latter provides all needed access to the lower portion of the space 3|. As shown, the panel member 92 is formed with an inturned flange 93 which normally rests on the casing floor member 21. The width of the opening between the ends of the member 29 and normally closed by the panel member 92 is sufficient to permit the lateral removal oi' the chassis 24 when the wing nuts 25 are removed. The vertical side edges of the panel member 92 are received in guideways formed between the inner sides of the ends of the member 29, and suitably shaped guide strips 94 secured to said ends.

The upper edges of the wall member 29 and panel 32 are at a level substantially intermediate the tops of the bottles 3 and the chassis 24, and above the body of the hood member 2 I but below the top of its nozzle part 22. The latter normally extends through an opening 35 in a at removable cover member 36 which is mounted on the top of the portions oi' the wall member 29 forming the front and end walls of the bay space 90, said opening beingout of vertical axial alignment with the element 9, and the discharge opening in the top of the hood 2|. As shown, the cover part 99 is formed with a downturned rim ilange 91 which overlaps the corresponding upper edge portion oi.' the wall member 29. The rim ange 91 is notched at 38 to receive clamping screws 99 for detachably securing the cover plate 39 in position. The flange 91 is also provided at the inner side of the member 36. The upper portions of the bottles are enclosed by a casing member 40 which is in the form of a box open at its underside. and normally rests on corresponding upper edge portions of the member 29 and panel 92.

As shown the member 40 is provided with an space 30 are inturned at their upper edges to provide an inclined ilange 43 forming a seat for a reversely bent lower end portion Il of the casing vmember 40, which is thus seated on the flange portion and on the similar inclined Ailange 43 provided at the upper end of the panel member 32. A strip I3 welded or otherwise attached to the outer side of the casing member 40 at the lower end of the latter, overlaps the upper ends of the panel member 32 and the portions of the wall member 29 at the rear of the covermember 33. The strip 49 provides trim, appearing as a continuation of the trim formed by the rim portion 31 of the cover plate 39, and thus contributes to a pleasing appearance of the humidifier unit casing, imparts rigidity to the casing, and interlocking the casing parts. 'I'he provision of the various flanges previously mentioned also contribute to the stiffness of the casing structure.

The appearance of the unit is improved, and

additional rigidity and some reduction in bulk are secured, by attening the-vertical corner portions 41 of the member 40, the subjacent corner portions 48 of the wall member 29, and

the front corner portions 49 of the portion of the member 29 enclosing the bay space 30. A handhole opening U is formed in the frontwall of the bay space 30 adjacent its upper end, for use in effecting bodily movement of the unit, and handhole openings 5i formed in the ends of the casing part I0, facilitate the manipulation of the latter. These handhole openings also provide for the free ingress of air set in motion by the air impeller vanes I2. 'I'he energizing connection cable 52 for the motor 8 may pass through, and the motor switch 53 may be mounted in the wall member 29.

As is made plainly apparent in Fig. 3, the nozzle 22 has its axis inclined to the vertical away from the upper central portion of the hood and from the adjacent vertical wall portion of the member 40, so that the mist discharged through the nozzle is directed in a well defined stream away from the casing member I0, and the deposit of moisture on the latter is avoided notwithstanding that the mist discharge is at a level desirably low and appreciably below the level of the top of the casing member 40. The nozzle 22 is spaced inwardly from the planes of the vertical walls of the bay extension 30 far enough 'to prevent an excessive discharge of mist against, and the resultant deposit of water on, vertical room wall or furniture surfaces with which the lower portion of the unit may be in contact no matter how the unit is disposed. In many cases, however, the unit is advantageously disposed adjacent a side wall of the room with its nozzle 22 directed away from the wallso that the humidied air and mist is directed toward the portion of the room space intermediate the ceiling and floor and intermediate the opposing side walls of the room.

ments given the unit in the ordinary use of the latter. f

l The humidiner unit specically illustrated herein includes certain novel features especially useful in a unit comprising provisions for simultaneously mounting two water supply bottles therein, and other features generically claimed herein, whichmay be used as illustrated in my co-pending application Serialv No. 9,064 filed of even date herewith, in a humidifier unit including provisions for mounting but a single Water supply bottle in the unit.

While i`n accordance with the provisions of the statutes, IV have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be'made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention als-set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases, certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding usc of other features. i

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A humidifier unit comprising a water receiving receptacle open at its upper end; a watersupply bottle arranged in inverted position and including a spout extending downwardly 9 into said receptacle and a shoulder portion engaging the upper part of said receptacle; air humidifying mechanism located alongside said receptacle and receiving water therefrom and including air -and water impelling means; a chassis on which said receptacle and mechanism are mounted; and a casing enclosing said chassis, receptacle, bottle and mechanism and comprising a bottom wall portion on which said chassis is detachably mounted, and uprising and top wall portions separable from said bottom wall to permit water bottle replacements, and comprising another portion separable from the previously mentioned portions to permit the removal of said chassis with said receptacle and mechanism mounted thereon.

2. A humidifier unit comprising a water receiving receptacle open at its upper end; a water supply bottle arranged in inverted position and including a spout extending downwardly into said receptacle and a shoulder portion engaging the upper part of saidreceptacle; air humiditying mechanism located alongside said receptacle and receiving water therefrom and including air and water impelling means; a chassis on which said receptacle and mechanism are mounted; and a casing enclosing said chassis, receptacle, bottle and mechanism, and comprising a bottom wall portion on which said chassis is detachably mounted, an uprising wall portion secured to said bottom portion and extending about three sides of said chassis, an uprising part at the fourth side of said chassis detachably connected to said bottom wall and to said uprising portion, and a casing part in the form of a box open at its under side and engaging and extending upwardly from said uprising part and from the adjacent portions of said uprising wall portion.

3. A portable humidifier unit comprising a water supply means; an air humidifying mechanism operatively connected to the supply means and including an upwardly-extending discharge duct; a chassis; means for securely fastening the water supply means and the humidifying mechanism to said chassis; a casing structure fying means Aand said chassis and conforming generally to the outlines of said elements; and

means for detachably securing said chassis to said casing.

4. A portable humidier unit comprising a watergreceiving receptacle having an opening inthe upper part thereof; a water supply receptacle removably supported in inverted position by said water receiving receptacle and including a spout extending downwardly through said opening and into said water receiving receptacle, and also including a shoulder portion engaging the upper part of said water receiving receptacle; air humidifying mechanism located alongside said water receiving receptacle and connected thereto and including a discharge duct; said mechanism including means for effecting a ilow therefrom of air with water 'mist entrained in the air; a

chassis; means for securely fastening the water receiving receptacle and the air humldifying mechanism to said chassis so as to provide a removable unit; a. casing structure enclosing said water receiving receptacle, water supply receptacle, mechanism and chassis and conforming tacle; a humldifying mechanism. located along,

side said receptacles and including a base member xed to said chassis, acover member positioned on said base member, and a discharge spout extending upwardly from the cover; a casing enclosing said chassis, said receptacle and said mechanism and having an outlet opening in registering relation with the upper end of said discharge spout, and including a movable wall porr5tion through which the chassis, receptacles and mechanism: may be removed and replaced as a unit; and coacting means carried partly by said casing and partly by said chassis for detachably securing and properly positioning the chassis in 50 the casing so that the mechanism will operate properly when in the casing and the end of the spout will register with the casing outlet opening.

2,078,202 enclosing said water supply means, said humidi- 6. A portable humidiiier unit adapted to be placed on the floor of a room space and adjacent articles of furniture therein or a wall of the room and comprising a relatively small cabinet including a nat top portion and having an outlet opening in a wall thereof remote from saidilat top portion; a water receiving receptacle disposed within said cabinet at one side thereof a water supplyrreceptacle positioned in said cabinet above said receiving receptacle and operatively associated therewith; a mechanically-operated water-atomizing mechanism positioned in said cabinet closely adjacent said receiving receptacle and at the side of the cabinet .opposite thereto and connected to said receptacle and operable to discharge a stream of air with water mist entrained therein; a single discharge duct receiving said stream of air and water mist from said mechanism and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in an upwardly-inclined nomle portion positioned to discharge said stream of air and -water mist at an appreciable velocity through said outlet opening in the cabinet and into said room space in a single direction extending upwardly and away from said casing and the nat top portion thereof whereby the water mist becomes vaporized in the air of the room space without contacting said casing and the flat top portion thereof, adjacent articles of furniture, or the floor of the room.

7. A portable humidifier unit for room spaces comprising a casing having an air delivery opening through a wall thereof, and humldifying apparatus within said casing comprising an impeller rotating about a vertical axis horizontally displaced from said opening, a hood above said impeller and at a lower level than said opening to receive a stream of air with water inist entrained therein from said impeller, said hood having an outlet nozzle leading from the upper central portion thereof and receiving air and entrained water mist under velocity imparted thereto by said impeller and said nozzle having its outlet located adjacent said air delivery opening and delivering the air and entrained water mist in a stream flowing in an upwardly-inclined direction and away from said casing, whereby the mist is evaporated in the surrounding atmosphere of the room space and deposit of moisture from said stream onto said casing is prevented.

FOWLER MANNING. 

